E&O Hotel Penang Malaysia

E&O Hotel in Penang is Malaysia's answer to the Raffles Hotel in Singapore or the Strand in Rangoon (Myanmar). This beautiful 5-Star Luxury Hotel stands majestically along Farquhar Street in Penang - A UNESCO World Heritage Status and was originally opened by the Sarkies Brothers back in 1885 who also owned the other two hotels mentioned. The hotel is also known as the Eastern and Oriental Hotel from the initials.

Main entrance driveway

E&O Hotel is probably one of the luxury class hotels where you can splurge and expect tip top service in a Colonial environment. Staying here would certainly put a slight dent the pocket of the ordinary person as this place is known to the well-heeled society. The minimum rates for a deluxe room starts around RM580++ (US$170) and sad to say, I only visited the E&O for breakfast while on a job in Penang Island.

British Raj style doorman at the E&O Hotel

E&O has always maintained their originality in terms of the decor, style and service and as I walked in, I was greeted by their doorman who was dressed in the Colonial Style British Raj dressing with a smile you hardly find these days. The doorman was extremely alert about guests walking in and out as he opened the main doors into the E&O Hotel with a beautiful and friendly smile. You have an option to use the classic revolving doors on the left of the main door.

E&O Hotel sidewalk with old pillar designs

What I personally admire about the E&O Hotel is that they managed to beautifully restore the place to it's original look and feel even though it is over a hundred years old and costing the E&O Group a cool RM75 million (US$22 million). Walking around the hotel made me inspect the details done to preserve this amazing place. Almost every little inch is carefully looked into from my observation throughout the place.

Sarkies Restaurant at the E&O 

Sarkies Corner, the name for the main restaurant with a view of the Penang sea through classic wooden and glass doors was where I had my breakfast. The Sarkies Corner also serves all day dining right up till 11pm with local and international cuisines.

Another view of the Sarkies Restaurant

What I like about the Sarkies Restaurant is that much work has been put in to maintain the originality of the 1900s. Tall wooden windows, mosaic tiled floors and even a cashier counter located on your right as you enter looks like a jailed section with iron bars. Wooden table and chairs dominate the restaurant floor while tall wooden and glass doors lead outside to the courtyard where you can see the sea. There is also an outdoor area for guests who prefer the outdoors.

E&O Hotel Penang entrance facade at night

I guess the E&O Hotel would be one of the places that I would love checking in to fully experience the Colonial days of Malaya. For that price, it would be something different compared to the now modern hotels. The E&O Hotel is also strategically located to town center where the nearest Penang attraction would be The Blue Mansion or Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion which is a couple of minutes walk and also the famous Chulia Street.

The E&O Group also owns Lone Pine Hotel in Batu Ferringgi, Penang. However, please note that there is a temporary closure of the Lone Pine Hotel for renovation works from 1 April 2009 till the 3rd Quarter of 2010.

E&O Hotel Room Rates;

SUITES	INTERNET RATES per suite per night
Deluxe Suite	RM 580++
Georgetown Suite	RM 580++
Premier Suite	RM 660++
Straits Suite	RM 810++
Writers Suite	RM 1080++
Java Suite	Rate on Request
Pinang Suite	Rate on Request
E&O Suite	Rate on Request

Official website for the Eastern and Oriental Hotel (E&O)

For detailed history of the Eastern and Oriental Hotel (E&O)

Address and contact for E&O Hotel:
Eastern and Oriental (E&O) Hotel
10 Lebuh Farquhar
10200 Penang

Telephone : +(6) 04 222 2000
Fax : +(6) 04 261 6333
Email : hotel-info@e-o-hotel.com

Map to E&O Hotel in Penang

View E&O Hotel Penang in a larger map

Apart from the many choices of hotels in Penang, there are a few which are totally outstanding located throughout the island. For those who would like to enjoy something with a touch of old British, I would recommend you try out the E&O Hotel in Penang.

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